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Sound Bilateral Relations Lie in the Mutual Understanding of Peoples:


Sidelights on CAFIU Delegation’s Visit to Japan, New Zealand and Australia Wang Bo At the invitation of the Kazankai Foundation of Japan, Asia New Zealand Foundation and Australian Institute of International Affairs, a CAFIU delegation headed by Ai Ping, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, former Vice-Minister of IDCPC and CAFIU Vice-President, visited the above-mentioned three countries from April 8 to 17, 2015. During the visit, the delegation engaged extensively with politicians, friendly organizations and personnel, non-governmental organizations and think tanks in the three countries. Japan: Recalling the Exchanges in the Past and Hoping for the Future Recent years witnessed the deterioration of political relationship between China and Japan. However, signs of improvement have emerged in bilateral relations since President Xi Jinping met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the APEC summit last November. It was the first meeting between leaders of the two countries in recent three years. Against this backdrop, people-to-people exchanges become all the more important for the two countries. It is an important mission facing every people dedicated to the course of people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries and the important goal for this delegation to strive to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples so as to lay a sound foundation for further improvement in bilateral ties. In Japan, the delegation met with Yohei Kono, former Speaker of House of Representatives and President of the Association for the Promotion of International Trade, Japan, and Keiji Yamada, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture. The delegation also had in-depth exchanges with organizations and personnel dedicated to promoting friendship between the two peoples, including Hoshi Hiroto, Executive Director of the Kazankai Foundation, Joji Tanaka, President of Japan-China Technological Youth Interchange Society, Shinichiro Shiranishi, Director General of the Japan-China Society and representatives from Junior Chamber International Japan. Ai Ping told the Japanese side that the history of over 2000-year friendly exchanges is much longer than decades of bitter history, and the two sides should build trust and advance cooperation through enhancing mutual understanding because peace benefits both countries while confrontation would only hurt. Mr. Ai also urged Japanese Politicians and non-governmental organizations to play a positive role in facilitating exchanges among people from all walks of life in the two nations. His words received positive responses from the Japanese side. Yohei Kono said that after the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year, many Japanese started to have expectations on the improvement of bilateral ties, and businesspersons are also willing to make contributions. Many NGO leaders said they are ready to carry out relevant activities and step up their exchanges with Chinese NGOs including CAFIU. The delegation met some Japanese friends who have devoted themselves to the cause of advancing friendship for most of their lives. Hoshi Hiroto showed us some photos he had kept for nearly 30 years and told us the story behind these photos, sharing with us his experience of meeting with China’s leader as a young member of a Japanese delegation. Joji Tanaka is in his 80s. He told the delegation that he hopes the younger generation could take over the responsibilities of advancing people-to-people exchanges as soon as possible. His son laughed and said: I have long expected for the day of taking on over his mantle! Gorgeous sakura along the roads and rivers kept catching our eyes as our bus ran through the streets of Kyoto and Tokyo. Tourists were enjoying the beauty of sakura in full blossom. The number of Chinese tourists surged this season compared with previous years. Hopefully the two peoples can be more involved in increasing exchanges so as to enhance mutual understanding of each other’s cultures and nurture the friendship. New Zealand: Meeting New Friends and Revisiting Old Ones After leaving Japan, the delegation embarked on the trip to New Zealand. The bilateral relations have made significant progress since the diplomatic ties were established, ranking high on China’s relations with developed countries. Last November, President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to the country and the two leaders upgraded China-New Zealand relations to comprehensive strategic partnership. At the beginning of 2015, New Zealand became the first western country to announce its intention of joining AIIB. Amity between people holds the key to sound relations between states. Increasing people-to-people exchanges lies behind sound bilateral ties. In New Zealand, we felt deeply that New Zealand people are friendly towards China and have a growing desire to know more about our country. Asia New Zealand Foundation organized a seminar attended by the delegation, important personnel of the Foundation, scholars from Victoria University, government officials and diplomats. On the seminar, the New Zealand side spoke positively of China-New Zealand relations, and the two sides had active discussions on China’s development and roles in the Asia-Pacific region, people-to-people relations and the 21st century maritime silk road. The meeting with Assistant Speaker Lindsay Tisch left a deep impression on the delegation. Our visit coincided with the recess of the Parliament. But Mr. Tisch flew from his constituency one day before to meet with us in Wellington and had to fly back right in the afternoon. Tisch told us that among his 5 visits to China, the one made in 1991 at the invitation of CAFIU impressed him most. Back then, he was a member of the National Party Delegation. He said that the changes in China he witnessed throughout his 5 visits were the epitome of its remarkable achievement in the past three decades. He also showed us his “Good Man Certificate” obtained after he reached the top of the Great Wall. Mr. Tisch expressed his support for more people-to-people exchanges between China and New Zealand. More and more Chinese tourists came to visit New Zealand after watching the big hit The Hobbit. Mr. Tisch’s constituency happens to be one of the places where some scenes of the movie were filmed. He told us with good humor that he was called “The Hobbit in the Parliament” by many of his colleagues. After the meeting, he became our “VIP tour guide” and showed us around the Parliament building. Australia: Asia-Pacific Partnership for Future Development The last leg of the visit was Australia. Last November, President Xi Jinping attended G20 Brisbane Summit and paid a state visit to Australia, during which leaders of both nations agreed to upgrade the bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership and announced the substantial conclusion of the negotiation for the free trade agreement. Australia officially became the 47th prospective founding member of AIIB (Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank) on April 13, one day before the delegation set foot on the country. The delegation met with Andrew Leigh, Co-Chairman of Australia-China Friendship Group of the Parliament, and Bob Carr, Director of Australia China Relations Institute, UTS and former Foreign Minister. The delegation also had a roundtable dialogue with Australian Institute of International Affairs. In the meetings and dialogue, Ai Ping said that as two important countries in the Asia-Pacific Region, strengthening mutual trust and deepening cooperation between China and Australia will benefit the long-term development of both countries. He expressed his wish that the two countries could keep in line with the trend featuring win-win cooperation against the backdrop of globalization and enhance mutual understanding for common development by carrying out comprehensive and wide-ranging international exchanges. The Australian side responded positively. They also spoke highly of China’s growing soft power and attractiveness. This visit came shortly after Australia announced its intention to join AIIB. A lot of Australians we met told us that the government made the right decision and had popular support, although it came a little bit late. Australian Institute of International Affairs hosted a successful roundtable dialogue, in which the delegation and Australian diplomats, representatives from think tanks and academic circles exchanged views on how to address challenges facing the bilateral ties, further boost the development of comprehensive strategic partnership and facilitate people-to-people exchanges.